Campus & Community Engagement Coordinator, Lauryn Bodde Travels to Alabama for the Women of True Grit Conference

May 1, 2023in Blog

After the successful execution of EPICentre’s Entrepreneurship SpeakHER Series of 2022/2023 powered by the US Consulate General office in Toronto, a member of our team was invited and attended the first inaugural Women of True Grit Conference at historical Miles College in Fairfield Alabama.

Lauryn Bodde and Edie Hand, Founder of Women of True Grit

Lauryn Bodde is our Campus & Community Engagement Coordinator, and organizer of the Entrepreneurship SpeakHER Series. Due to the cross-border connections made, and thanks to the support from the US Consulate office in Toronto, she was able to share the entrepreneurial stories and words of wisdom with the students and faculty at Miles College in Alabama. (Click here to read Lauryn’s speech she presented at the conference).

Lauryn Bodde and keynote presenter Lakiesha Hawkins, Deputy Manager (ADAA) for NASA’s Moon to Mars Program

The Women of True Grit sisterhood and book, led by author and founder Edie Hand is a movement of love and support that celebrate the GRIT that we each have in us to evolve our challengesinto Pearls of Hope. The event consisted of over 25 women from presenters, to panelists, moderators, and pearl coaches from different corners o

f the United States and Canada joined to share stories, wisdom, and inspiration. They keynote presenter was Lakiesha Hawkins, Deputy Manager (ADAA) for NASA’s Moon to Mars Program. She is working on a project at the moment to send the first woman, and person of colour to the moon!

Edie Hand is a businesswoman, speaker, media personality, filmmaker, international author, and mother. She has authored or co-authored over twenty-five books. She is the ultimate representation of a Woman of True Grit having faced many challenges in both her personal and professional life. “I believe all women can find the strength to embrace who they are, navigate their direction in life, and possess the potential to impact themselves and those within their world and beyond. You can do hard things and turn them into beautiful situations. Pearls on, Swords up!” ~Edie Hand.

 

Roxie Kelley- Women of True Grit Producer, Dr. Olivia Cook- Miles College, Lauryn Bodde, Edie Hand- Founder of Women of True Grit, Krystal Drummond- Vice President Community & Government Relations at Drummond Company, Karolyn Hart- President & CEO of Inspire Hub, Colleen Ruszkowski- Women of True Grit Producer, Donna Stoney- Owner/Winemaker at Stoney Wines

Here are some relevant links to resources and ways to stay connected with the Women of True Grit Movement:

  • Click this link to reserve Edie’s Women of True Grit book in Leddy Library
  • To purchase Edie’s book, click here
  • Join Edie’s Women of True Grit sisterhood for free, click here
  • Watch Edie’s Entrepreneurship NetworkHER session where EPICentre had her as a keynote speakHER, click here.
  • Connect with Edie Hand on LinkedIn